Pakistan feed millers involved in cartel scam

The poultry feed mills have been asked to submit their written arguments within fifteen days, and to appear before the Commission on 23 and 24 November 2010. All these mills are members of Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA).

These notifications come in the aftermath of the recent PKR 50 million fine (€421,300) imposed by CCP on the PPA for cartel infringements in the poultry industry.

Earlier the CCP undertook investigation of the Pakistan's poultry industry based on news reports pertaining to high prices of day-old chicks and exorbitant increase in the prices of poultry feed.

PPA considered nerve centre

Upon preliminary investigation, the CCP observed that Pakistan Poultry Association served as the nerve-centre that connected the different sectors of the poultry industry, including feed manufacturers, breeders, hatcheries and broiler and layer farms.

The CCP Enquiry Committee discovered that information relating to rates of various poultry products, such as chicken meat, eggs, feed etc, was being displayed on the official website of PPA and that these rates were being updated on the website on regular basis.

Offices searched

Inspection of PPA's offices in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi in May 2010 revealed documents that indicated that PPA, its committees, and their members regularly engaged in discussions and deliberations regarding production and pricing of poultry products and took decision on those matters.